Claire & Tom: A Country Wedding in Bowral, NSW
While Claire and Tom met when they were 14, but it wasn’t until they ran into each other four years later that they finally got to know each other. Tom invited Claire and her friend along to his 19th birthday and at the party the pair got to talking. From there they kept in contact and eventually became an official couple.
The bride: Claire Dobson, 22, school teacher
The groom: Tom Young, 22, carpenter
The date: 9 January
One weekend Claire’s work told her that her shifts had been cancelled. So instead of getting ready for work on the Sunday morning, her parents handed her a note from Tom. The letter said that Claire would be picked up by her best friend, who took her to a mystery destination, which ended up being a day spa. Afterwards the staff handed Claire another letter. It said that one of Tom’s mates was waiting outside. Next stop: Cronulla wharf, where a boat took Claire to a boat-access only destination. “Once there, Tom proposed,” says Claire. “He had a picnic all set up, a ring and a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne to celebrate (my favourite). We then went back to my house where all our best friends and family members who were waiting to celebrate with us!”
Photographer: Matt Johnson Photography
